Note: I have to admit: writing this story was kind of a challenge to me since those two have such a cute, yet complicated relationship! :D But I managed! I hope you like it!

Dedication: This story is dedicated to ToKToK! I hope you like it! Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan. :(

-.-

Heartbeat

-.-

Toyama Kazuha would never admit it, but in those rare occasions when she would have the chance to hug her best friend, she would linger on purpose just to listen to his heartbeat—that and to see him all blushing and flustered.

She liked it when he was blushing and flustered and stuttering.

But the simple thump thump that echoed in his chest always fascinated her. She would find a small smile curling her lips when she would hear it. It was completely soothing and if she could, she would have it as her own personal lullaby to put her to sleep.

Unfortunately, she couldn't.

At times, when her ear would be pressed against his chest, listening to his frantic heartbeat, she would find herself wondering:

What does it say? Are his heartbeats trying to convey something?

But it was impossible to ask. And she didn't want him to look at her like she was an idiot. Although, he was the idiot most of the time.

Ugh, he's such an aho...

And yet, she found herself thinking about him, worrying about him, waiting for him to finally realize that she was just before him all along.

And she would keep on doing that with a smile, until she understood what his heartbeat meant every time she hugged him.

-.-

It was a wintry night.

Clouds of mist covered the air, the wind was cold, and the moon's rays were fitting with the scenery. But Kazuha couldn't enjoy the wintry scenery since she and Hattori Heiji were having their infamous Movie Night.

Movie Nights meant that both would get into Heiji's house, sit on the opposite ends of the sofa and watch the movie until they both would doze off on the couch. When that would happen, one of his parents would bring a blanket and cover them and they won't wake up until the early morning.

That was what usually happened.

And so Kazuha was considerably surprised when Heiji sat closer than usual. He had already placed the movie, which she had missed a huge majority of it while thinking as to why he was too close to her today. Not that she was complaining. It was just odd.

Most of the movie was a blur since she couldn't concentrate on anything except the warmth Heiji's body was emitting, his unique scent that just screamed Heiji, and the way his arm was draped lazily over the back of the couch.

Kazuha concentrated on breathing and paying attention to the movie.

It was completely fruitless.

She was vaguely aware that Heiji was laughing about something that was happening in the movie. But she was so engrossed watching him from the corner of her eye to notice what was happening.

He really was handsome. His green eyes were lit up with amusement, his lips were quirking up every now and then, his cheeks were high and his whole body was shaking with delighted shudders.

She felt a fond smile curl her lips slightly. That's why she loved Movie Nights so much. She could watch him as much as she wanted without him noticing. She would get to see him all happy; and that was a rare occasion in itself.

She did not understand when did all the voices and Heiji's picture became a fuzz but she was suddenly aware that she was hearing the most soothing lullaby—her favourite. She smiled sleepily.

She was halfway through her dreamland when she felt a hand taking off the ribbon that held her hair in its usual ponytail. When the ribbon was laid forgotten at the edge of the couch, the hand returned to caress her hair soothingly, and Kazuha felt herself give a small sigh of contentment as she snuggled closer to the sound of his lulling heartbeat, not really aware of what she was doing.

Unbeknownst to her, Hattori Heiji smiled.

Just as she was about to cross the thin line that separated dreams from reality, Kazuha found herself yet again wondering what were his heartbeats conveying. She wished she could understand what they were saying—if they were saying anything at all.

Soft, lingering warmth pressed against her forehead gently. The simple, unexpected touch was enough to make her own heartbeats soar into her throat and tumble into her stomach before hammering in her chest almost painfully.

Was he...?

His lips lingered more than it was necessary at her forehead, but she made no motion to pull away. After all, she was supposed to be sleeping. And she was sure it would be the only chance in a long time that she would get to see this side of him. So, she might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

He mumbled something into her forehead softly; she almost couldn't catch it, but she did and her heart yet again soared into her throat, but this time, it did not return to its protected place in her chest until much later.

Under her closed eyelids, tears of joy were threatening to spill, but she held them back with all the will power she had. She was not ruining this.

His lips left her forehead only to be replaced by his cheek, where he had his head rest against hers. Heiji closed his eyes to get his own sleep. Almost instinctively, the arm that was draped on the couch's back wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her possessively into his chest.

Kazuha smiled sleepily again, eyes still closed, finally understanding the thump thump that was enclosed in his chest.

Every single beat was for her. His heart beats for her.

"I love you too, Heiji."

But he was already in his own dreamland, a small smile playing against his lips as he pulled Kazuha, unconsciously, closer to him.

-.-

Hattori Heizo smiled amusedly at the scene folded before him.

His son was resting comfortably on the couch, his head leaning against his best childhood friend's forehead and his arm wrapped securely, almost possessively, around her shoulders. Kazuha's head was resting snugly against his chest, one of her hands intertwined with Heiji's.

Both had content, undeniable happy smiles on their sleeping faces.

Heizo shook his head and climbed up the stairs only to return a few seconds later with a thick, large blanket. He carefully laid it on the two, and stood back to watch as they both shifted slightly, snuggling into each other even more.

Hattori Heizo smirked.

He had some yens to collect from both sides of the family—and Toyama was going to be in a very foul mood once he was done with him.

After all, never bet against Hattori Heizo.

The End! :)

Note: Um...review? Please...? :D